Modular garment systems

ABSTRACT

A modular garment system for physically active users to wear before, during or after physical activity. The modular garment system can easily convert to a scarf or be worn around the waist. The modular garment system is designed to be reversible and flexible for multi-use purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of garments and more specifically relates to a modular garment system.

2. Description of Related Art

In the field of athletic apparel, the use of various types of clothing, pads, wraps, and head wear for protection, comfort, and warmth for an athlete engaged in a sport or other physical recreation may be used. Prior to physical activities, an athlete must warm up. Athletes may wear bulky sweaters or other clothing to achieve a desirable temperature while warming up. Warming up in the physiological sense means getting blood to flow to the muscles engaged in whatever exercise the athlete is about to perform. Increased blood flow to muscles also means increased oxygen delivery to tissues and removal of carbon dioxide which is desirable.

Most of the benefits from warming up are related to an increase in muscle temperature. Additionally, maintaining good flexibility through warm up exercises has shown protective benefits by helping prevent musculoskeletal injuries related to sports. These changes allow the muscles to move quickly and efficiently and help connect the brain with relevant motor patterns for the upcoming activity, all while minimizing injury.

For many exacting athletes who demand the most from their athletic garments, clothing accessories are often required for each sport and for each level of performance that the athlete engages in. However, as such athletic apparel must generally incorporate higher quality, more durable materials and construction to hold up under the rigors of athletic activities. A suitable solution is desired.

Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pub. Nos. 2007/0006360; 2008/0047044; 2012/0137416; 2012/0079644; 2011/0126340; 2004/0088778; 2010/0071110; and 2014/0013481; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,665,876; 4,706,304; 4,559,647; 4,570,267; 1,285,917; 2,237,368; 8,468,612; and 8,800,062; foreign Pat. Nos. 2181978; 202012004109; 2005/025349; 2,828,070; and 3,160,892. This art is representative of sport-related garments. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Preferably, a garment should provide comfort and protection for athletic activities and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable modular garment system to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known garment art, the present invention provides a novel modular garment system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a modular garment system for allowing physically active users with a multi-use garment.

A modular garment system may be worn at the beginning of a work out or run, and as the user-wearer heats up. Sleeves are easily removeable while the user-wearers head may remain in the neck hole. The cuff ends of the sleeves may snap together and be places around the neck, creating a scarf appearance. Material is absent from the arm pit area in certain embodiments to prevent sweat accumulation and odor retention on the garment. Cuffs have a “fold over” function, such that they may be used as mitts to keep hands warm, if required. The modular garment system comprises a zipper pocket large enough for a credit card or key on one sleeve, in the tricept area. This pocket is also located on the inside of the other sleeve, for additional storage availability regardless of the orientation the user wears the garment.

There are snaps located in strategic spots such that the garment may easily covert to a neck scarf or ‘belt’. The patterns on the inside and outside of the garment may be different so that a user-wearer may have two distinct styles of garments in one. The modular garment system may have a lower cut “front” and a higher cut “back”, such that the garment may be worn with either a low front or low back, depending on user-wearer's preference. The modular garment system in preferred embodiments has a reflective logo placed for safety when running or exercising at night or in otherwise low-light conditions. Material may be soft and stretchy; one size fits all.

A modular garment system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising: a modular garment assembly comprising an upper-torso-arms sleeve having a neck opening, an upper-torso-cover, a right arm sleeve, and a left arm sleeve. The modular garment system comprises the modular garment assembly; the modular garment assembly comprises the upper-torso-arms sleeve. As such, the upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises in functional combination the upper-torso-cover, the right arm sleeve, and the left arm sleeve.

The right arm sleeve comprises a right hand opening and the left arm sleeve comprises a left hand opening such that a user-wearer may insert respective hands (right and left) therethrough when wearing. The right arm sleeve is foldable upon itself such that the user-wearer is able to foldingly-form a right glove with a right cuff of the right arm sleeve and similarly the left arm sleeve is foldable upon itself such that the user-wearer is able to foldingly-form a left glove with a left cuff of the left arm sleeve such that the hands of the user-wearer are able to be warmed when desired. This helps the athlete maintain proper body temperature which is desirable.

Parameters of the upper-torso-arms sleeve are defined by the neck opening, the upper-torso-cover, the right arm sleeve, and the left arm sleeve, the upper-torso-cover, the right arm sleeve, and the left arm sleeve integrally associated with each other. The upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a zipper pocket for containing at least one object for removable use. The upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a reflective logo, as mentioned, for safety of the user-wearer during poor-lighting conditions athletic use. The upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises at least one fastener such that the user-wearer is able to easily convert the modular garment assembly into a functional neck-scarf or belt.

The upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a flexible, reversible fabric body. The upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a triangular armpit opening formed respectively in a left arm pit area and a right armpit area to minimize sweat accumulation and odor retention or may be filled with mesh in alternate embodiments. The neck opening comprises an oval shape for comfort during exercise and to accommodate various neck and chest sizes. Certain embodiments may have a neck opening that is circular in shape. The upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a front panel and a back panel. The front panel may comprise a width smaller than the back panel or vice versa. The upper-torso-arms sleeve is reversible inside and out and the upper-torso-arms sleeve is also reversible frontwards and backwards relative to the user-wearer.

The modular garment system is structured and arranged to provide the user-wearer with an easily removable, convertible athletic garment suitable for protecting the user-wearer from undesirable ambient conditions. The modular garment assembly comprises a UV protective and insulative means to protect the user-wearer.

A method of using a modular garment system is also disclosed herein comprising the steps of: donning a modular garment assembly for athletic use to protect a user-wearer from ambient conditions, manipulating the modular garment assembly according to the ambient conditions, and removing the modular garment assembly when desired. The method may further comprise the step of: reversing the modular garment assembly during use.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a modular garment system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, modular garment system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a modular garment system during an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a modular garment assembly of the modular garment system comprising a right hand opening and left hand opening according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the modular garment assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the modular garment assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the modular garment system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a sports garment and more particularly to a modular garment system as used to improve an athlete's ability and efficiency during various sporting activities.

Generally speaking, a modular garment system is a jogging/yoga sleeves convertible to scarf, sweat wicking, 4-way stretch material, insta-mitt cuffs, strategic zippers and snaps, and is 4-way reversible. Magnetic clasps, snaps or plain magnets may be provided in the cuffs for holding the cuffs of the sleeve together. Sleeves are worn at beginning of the workout or run, and as the user heats up, sleeves are easily taken off (while head remains through neck hole), cuff ends of sleeves snap together and when placed around the neck, create a scarf appearance. Material may be absent from the arm pit area to prevent sweat accumulation and odor retention on the garment.

The present invention has cuffs with a “fold over” function, so they can be used as mitts to keep hands warm, if required. Zipper pocket is sufficiently sized for credit card or key storage on one sleeve, in the triceps area; this pocket is also on the inside of the other sleeve, so there is always an available pocket regardless of the orientation the user wears the garment. There are snaps in strategic spots so that the garment can easily convert to a scarf, or it can be worn around the waist (as a belt). The pattern on the inside and the outside of the garment may comprise different patterns, so the wearer has two distinct style(s) of garment in one. There is also a lower cut “front”, and higher cut “back”, such that the garment can be worn with either a low front/high back or vice-versa. Material used may be soft and stretchy so that one size fits all.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of modular garment system 100 comprising: modular garment assembly 110 comprising upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 (having neck opening 132, upper-torso-cover 160, right arm sleeve 172, and left arm sleeve 182). Modular garment system 100 comprises modular garment assembly 110. Modular garment assembly 110 comprises upper-torso-arms sleeve 120; upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 comprises in functional combination upper-torso-cover 160, right arm sleeve 172, and left arm sleeve 182, as shown. Parameters of upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 are defined by neck opening 132, upper-torso-cover 160, right arm sleeve 172, and left arm sleeve 182. Upper-torso-cover 160, right arm sleeve 172, and left arm sleeve 182 integrally associated with each other (forming a single-piece manufacture). Upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 comprises a flexible, reversible fabric body. Modular garment system 100 as such is structured and arranged to provide user-wearer 140 with an easily removable, convertible athletic garment suitable for protecting user-wearer 140 from undesirable ambient conditions.

Right arm sleeve 172 comprises right hand opening 174 and left arm sleeve 182 comprises a left hand opening 184 such that user-wearer 140 may insert respective hands therethrough when wearing. Right arm sleeve 172 is foldable upon itself such that user-wearer 140 is able to foldingly-form right glove 176 with right cuff 178 of right arm sleeve 172 and left arm sleeve 182 is foldable upon itself such that user-wearer 140 is able to foldingly-form left glove 186 with left cuff 188 of the left arm sleeve 182 (in a similar manner) such that hands 142 of user-wearer 140 are able to be warmed when desired. In certain embodiments right arm sleeve 172 comprises right thumb opening 180 and left arm sleeve 182 comprises left thumb opening 190 such that a right-thumb and a left-thumb are able to be exposed.

Upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 comprises zipper pocket 122 for containing at least one object for removable use such as a credit card, key or the like. Upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 comprises reflective logo 124 for safety of user-wearer 140 during poor-lighting conditions athletic use. Upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 may comprise at least one fastener 126 such that user-wearer 140 is able to easily convert modular garment assembly 110 into a functional (and fashionable) neck-scarf 128.

Neck opening 132 comprises a circle shape in certain embodiments. Neck opening 132 may alternately comprise an oval shape for comfort during exercise and to accommodate various neck and chest sizes. Upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 may comprise mesh formed in a left arm pit area and right armpit area. In other embodiments upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 comprises a triangular armpit opening (no mesh or material present) formed in left arm pit area 191 and right armpit area 181 to minimize sweat accumulation and odor retention. Upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 comprises front panel 123 and back panel 125. Front panel 123 in certain embodiments comprises a width smaller than back panel 125. Back panel 125 comprises a width larger than the front panel 123 in alternate embodiments. Upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 is reversible inside and out. Upper-torso-arms sleeve 120 is also reversible frontwards and backwards relative to user-wearer 140 making the present invention multi-functional and able to be worn according to user preference. Modular garment system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing flowchart 550 illustrating method of use 500 for modular garment system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4. As shown, method of use 500 may comprise the steps of: step one 501, donning modular garment assembly 110 for athletic use to protect user-wearer 140 from ambient conditions; step two 502, manipulating modular garment assembly 110 according to the ambient conditions (moving/adjusting or the like); and step three 503, removing modular garment assembly 110. It should be noted that step four 504, reversing modular garment assembly 110 during use is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A modular garment system comprising: a modular garment assembly comprising; an upper-torso-arms sleeve having; a neck opening; an upper-torso-cover; a right arm sleeve; and a left arm sleeve; wherein said modular garment system comprises said modular garment assembly; wherein said modular garment assembly comprises said upper-torso-arms sleeve; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises in functional combination said upper-torso-cover, said right arm sleeve, and said left arm sleeve; wherein parameters of said upper-torso-arms sleeve are defined by said neck opening, said upper-torso-cover, said right arm sleeve, and said left arm sleeve, said upper-torso-cover, said right arm sleeve, and said left arm sleeve integrally associated with each other; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a flexible, reversible fabric body; and wherein said modular garment system is structured and arranged to provide a user-wearer with an easily removable, convertible athletic garment suitable for protecting said user-wearer from undesirable ambient conditions.
 2. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said right arm sleeve comprises a right hand opening and said left arm sleeve comprises a left hand opening such that said user-wearer may insert respective hands therethrough when wearing.
 3. The modular garment system of claim 2 wherein said right arm sleeve is foldable upon itself such that said user-wearer is able to foldingly-form a right glove with a right cuff of said right arm sleeve and said left arm sleeve is foldable upon itself such that said user-wearer is able to foldingly-form a left glove with a left cuff of said left arm sleeve such that said hands of said user-wearer are able to be warmed when desired.
 4. The modular garment system of claim 3 wherein said right arm sleeve comprises a right thumb opening and said left arm sleeve comprises a left thumb opening such that a right-thumb and a left-thumb are able to be exposed.
 5. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a zipper pocket for containing at least one object for removable use.
 6. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a reflective logo for safety of said user-wearer during poor-lighting conditions athletic use.
 7. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises at least one fastener such that said user-wearer is able to easily convert said modular garment assembly into a functional neck-scarf.
 8. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said neck opening comprises a circle shape.
 9. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said neck opening comprises an oval shape for comfort during exercise and to accommodate various neck and chest sizes.
 10. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises mesh formed in a left arm pit area and right armpit area.
 11. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a triangular armpit opening formed in a left arm pit area and right armpit area to minimize sweat accumulation and odor retention.
 12. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a front panel and a back panel.
 13. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said front panel comprises a width smaller than said back panel.
 14. The modular garment system of claim 1 wherein said back panel comprises a width larger than said front panel.
 15. The modular garment system of claim 14 wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve is reversible inside and out.
 16. The modular garment system of claim 15 wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve is reversible frontwards and backwards relative to said user-wearer.
 17. A modular garment system comprising: a modular garment assembly comprising; an upper-torso-arms sleeve having; a neck opening; an upper-torso-cover; a right arm sleeve; and a left arm sleeve; wherein said modular garment system comprises said modular garment assembly; wherein said modular garment assembly comprises said upper-torso-arms sleeve; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises in functional combination said upper-torso-cover, said right arm sleeve, and said left arm sleeve; wherein said right arm sleeve comprises a right hand opening and said left arm sleeve comprises a left hand opening such that a user-wearer may insert respective hands therethrough when wearing; wherein said right arm sleeve is foldable upon itself such that said user-wearer is able to foldingly-form a right glove with a right cuff of said right arm sleeve and said left arm sleeve is foldable upon itself such that said user-wearer is able to foldingly-form a left glove with a left cuff of said left arm sleeve such that said hands of said user-wearer are able to be warmed when desired; wherein parameters of said upper-torso-arms sleeve are defined by said neck opening, said upper-torso-cover, said right arm sleeve, and said left arm sleeve, said upper-torso-cover, said right arm sleeve, and said left arm sleeve integrally associated with each other; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a zipper pocket for containing at least one object for removable use; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a reflective logo for safety of said user-wearer during poor-lighting conditions athletic use; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises at least one fastener such that said user-wearer is able to easily convert said modular garment assembly into a functional neck-scarf; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a flexible, reversible fabric body; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a triangular armpit opening formed respectively in a left arm pit area and a right armpit area to minimize sweat accumulation and odor retention; wherein said neck opening comprises an oval shape for comfort during exercise and to accommodate various neck and chest sizes; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve comprises a front panel and a back panel; wherein said front panel comprises a width smaller than said back panel; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve is reversible inside and out; wherein said upper-torso-arms sleeve is reversible frontwards and backwards relative to said user-wearer; and wherein said modular garment system is structured and arranged to provide said user-wearer with an easily removable, convertible athletic garment suitable for protecting said user-wearer from undesirable ambient conditions.
 18. The modular garment system of claim 17 wherein said modular garment assembly comprises a UV protective and insulative means.
 19. A method of using a modular garment system comprising the steps of: donning a modular garment assembly for athletic use to protect a user-wearer from ambient conditions; manipulating said modular garment assembly according to said ambient conditions; and removing said modular garment assembly.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of: reversing said modular garment assembly during use. 